Newspaper trap



G. E. cuMMlNs 2,485,707

NEWSPAPER TRAP v oct. 25, 1949.`

Filed Dec. l, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

A TTURNEY Patented Oct. 25, li949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEWSPAPER TRAP George Edwin Cummins, Maricopa County, Ariz.

Application December 1, 1948, Serial No. 62,955

4 Claims.

This invention pertains to newspaper traps.

One of the objects is to provide a trap' device for receiving newspapers which when opened or set, will present an open box-like structure into which the newspaper may be easily thrown or pushed, whereupon the trap cover closes and retains the newspaper in place and protects it from the weather;

Another object is to provide a receiver for newspapers, or similar objects which, when open, provides an opening into which a rolled or folded newspaper may be thrown, or smartly placed, whereby a trigger is tripped which lets a cover down on the paper, holding it in position protected from the weather, dogs and the like;

Another object is to provide a device, as above stated, wherein all parts, independent of the opening movement, which is manually done, operate by means of gravity and wherein springs are eliminated.

Still another object is to provide a device wherein the parts are formed to eliminate the accumulation of water, rain, snow, or dust when in opened position, and will retain the contents in weather proof condition when in closed position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

I attain the foregoing objects by means of the structure and devices shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the trap in opened position;

Figure 2, a transverse sectional elevation taken substantially on line 2-2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar view with the trap in closed position; and

Figure 4, a perspective view of the device as supported on a post as it will appear in closed position.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views.

The device is attached to a post 2 or other support by screws 3 driven through a vertically disposed attaching plate 4 which is made integral with a vhorizontally extending bottom support plate 5. A supporting frame 6 is hinged at 'I to the angular bend 9 between attaching plate 4 and bottom plate 5. A curved trigger 8 is hinged at II to the outer end of supporting frame 6 so that when the frame is raised from plate the trigger hangs and assumes the position shown in Figure 2 whereby the stop joggle I0 engages against a detent I2 on the upper face of bottom plate 5.

A cover I4 of lighter gauge metal is attached to frame 6 and its top I6 follows the contour of the frame. This cover is of sufficient length to cover and enclose any ordinary newspaper or magazine. The frame 6 and cover I4, as here shown, in Fig. 3 both have a flat top face I8 and sloping sides 20. Plates 2| close the ends of the cover and with cover I4 form a cover cavity 22 which receives the newspapers, etc., and affords sulficient protection from the weather. However, the cover I4 and the frame 6 may have a convex curved upper surface, and the parts may be otherwise shaped and proportioned as desired. Trigger 8 is proportioned so that when hinged inward it folds into cavity 22 in the space below frame part 6.

When installed, as shown in Figure 4, thetrap is opened using handle 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. When lifted open the trigger 8 drops down and holds frame 6 and cover I4 in raised or open position. The person delivering papers may then roll or fold them as indicated by dotted outline 23 and throw or toss them into the open- -ing between hinge II and plate 5 so as to strike trigger 8. This forces the trigger to the rear and the cover and frame drop to the position shown in Figure 3, with the trigger folded up under the cover frame and the newspaper roll 23 firmly gripped between it and the top face of bottom frame plate 5. It is then enclosed by the protective cavity 22 of the cover.

Bottom supporting plate 5, while it extends generally horizontal, is arched upward in the middle so that it will not accumulate rain or other moisture. It is also perforated by drain holes 25 for the same purpose.

Papers and local publications are usually delivered by boys on bicycles or power scooters, and heretofore have been merely thrown or scattered in the front yards or porches of the subscribers. To cover their routes these delivery boys do not have time (or will not take time) to insert the publications in conventional mail boxes or other containers. The present device, however, oiers a convenient and attractive receptacle. Only slight skill is needed to throw or toss the paper into the open trap and once thrown it is firmly retained and protected from the elements, and from errant dogs and the like.

Having, now, fully described my invention and explained its use, I wish to be limited only by the claims:

I claim:

1. A newspaper trap, comprising an L shaped supporting frame, with a vertical member thereof adapted to attachment to a support, and an outwardly extending horizontal member having a detent near its outer end, an arch shaped cover frame hinged at the inner end to supporting frame at the angle bend between said L shaped frame members, an inwardly arched trigger hinged at its upper end to the outer end of said cover frame and adapted to depend from said cover frame and engage said detent; when said cover frame is in raised position, and a rectangular cover having, an arched topn to provide a cavity on its under sidesecured to said cover frame;

2. A newspaper trap composed of an L' shaped supporting frame having a vertical member adapted for attachment to a supporting surface and ahorizontal member having an upwardlyf arched and perforated surface extending outward therefrom; a trigger detent'formedneark the outer end thereof; a coverv frame:n.amngf.a.:`

at central portion and outwardly and downwardly extending side portions hinged atone endl to the inner end of said horizontal portion of said supporting frame; a trigger hingedf at its" top tothe free endioi said covenframe andzadapted to hang downward therefrom with itshottom end engaging on said 'noiizontai member and stopped by the detentthererm whensaid cover `framesis hinged to raised position above saidhorizontal frame portion; and a cover. having a at .central portion, downward and ontwardsideportionsand closed ends fittedover. and. supported-y bysaid cover rame.

3.'. .A newspaper trap, including iin combination, an L shaped supportingframe having a' perforated, upwardly arched, ,substantiallyv horizontal member, a trigger detent formed on the outer portion thereof, a cover having an arched top and closed ends forming a protective cavity therebeneath. positioned transversely over said horizontal frame member with one edge hinged adjacent the inner end thereof, and an inwardly curved trigger hinged to the outer edge of said cover adapted to hang downward therefrom when said cover is hinged angularly upward from the outer end of said horizontal frame member and to engage on said horizontal frame member against said detent thereon.

4. A newspaper trap, including in combination, and; .shaped supporting frame having a perforated, upwardly arched, substantially horizontal member; a trigger: detent formed on the outer portion thereof, acover having an arched top and closed ends forming a protective cavity therebeneath, positioned transversely over said horizontal frame member with one edge hinged adjacent the inner end thereof,r andaninwardly curved. trigger hinged to theouter edgeof said cover adapted to hang downward therefrom when Said.' cover is hinged angularl-y upward. from the outerfend of said horizontal iramemember and :to engage on said horizontal-frame member against said detent thereon to maintain said cover. in. said raised position, and to release said cover` when pushedinward away from .contact with said horizontal support.`

GECRGE EDWIN CUMMINS.

No references cited.` 

